This
page contains activities and infomation about dating fossils and placing them
in the context of the history of life on Earth. Our earth is hundreds of millions
of years old. During its lifetime the earth has been the setting for countless
interesting geological and biological events. As a result, it is covered in
fossils and relics that tell its life-story. From radioisotopes in rock layers
to biological fossils, there are many clues scientists use to understand what
happened on Earth and when.

The activities on this
page are designed to help students begin to understand the age of the earth.
The Timeline Reseach project and Conference on the Age of the Earth are designed
to give students a visual and kinesthetic picture of the age of the earth.
The Radiometric Dating Game and the Class as an Artifact Activity are designed
to demonstrate radiometric dating, one technique scientists have used to determine
part of the life history of the earth. These activities are designed for use
with 5-8th graders. There is an emphasis on inquiry and all activities are
tied to the National Science Education Standards.

The Background Information
section gives some information and factual background teachers can use in
furthering their own understanding of carbon dating and the history of geology
and biology on Earth.